I'm ticked and don't know quite how to respond.

I just got a lovely and well-meaning private message from a Facebook friend I generally adore. He's a university instructor, writes well, and is intelligent, family oriented, and sweet. But he just told me he "senses" I could pull myself out of this.

Did he forget everything we've ever discussed about bipolar? Does he not remember his own promise to trust me when I tell him "I can recognize the difference between, 'Hmm, my attitude needs adjustment' and 'I am genuinely and severely ill'?" Does he think I chose this or something?

To be fair, he probably has no idea what it feels like to be swept out of control by mania so high you are let go from your job. And he probably has no idea what it feels like to crash down from that mania, falling so low you have to apply for disability. But that is exactly why I think he has no business saying things like this.

I suppose I could tell him that today was a milestone: that I showered and then--hold on; here comes the big part--actually left the house. I could point out that I have been slowly crawling back to Facebook over the last several months of absence, a point a fairly amazing percentage of my 793 "friends" pointed out with surprising kindness.

I suppose, I could ask him forthrightly, "Do you know what it's like to suffer moodswings so intense you've been hospitalized three times in the last six months?" or "Do you know what it's like to wake up one morning with no memory of the previous three weeks? Or "Do go through meds changes? Do you wring your hands as you watch your adolescent son for symptoms, or cry with gratitude with your husband says, "I meant it when I said 'in sickness and in health, babe'"?

Perhaps worse than being annoyed in itself--because who wouldn't be?--I'm recognizing a trait in myself that isn't even LIKE myself: "Who is this angry woman?" I wonder.

I used to be kind, patient, unflappable. Bringing someone into the tent of understanding was my go-to response in the past. After all, it reduces stigma and makes it better for us all. Doesn't it? Now, after what I've been going through for four.teen.months, I don't even know what my go-to response is!

I feel like I have no idea who I am anymore and I certainly have no idea how to respond to his idiotic remark or even if I should! Does anyone have any thoughts, experiences, or comments to share? I'm not sure this is about him as much as it is about me. I'm so ANGRY